Wakulla County index crimes drop 28.4 percent during the first six months of 2013

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) has released the 2013 semi-annual Uniform Crime Report (UCR) covering January through July crime activity.

The report covers index crimes including murder, forcible rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny and motor vehicle theft. The 2012 statistics cover the first six months of last year as well.

The total number of index crimes in Wakulla County fell from 433 during the first six months of 2012 to 310 during the first six months of 2013. The reduction in crime is a 28.4 percent drop.

There were no murders in either year. Forcible rape cases dropped from five to four; robbery increased from 1 to 2; aggravated assault dropped from 39 to 28; burglaries dropped from 87 to 58; larceny dropped from 292 to 210 and motor vehicle theft dropped from 9 to 8. The WCSO is still clearing 32 percent of the cases.

“This is a direct reflection of all of the hard work that everyone at the WCSO puts in,” said Sheriff Charlie Creel. “The staff is doing a great job.”

The State of Florida reported a reduction of the total crime index by 5.2 percent. All of the index crime categories were down statewide except forcible rape which was up only 19 cases overall.